With seafood from our music reporter to thai from our editor-in-chief, The Panther staff has a number of deliciously fun recommendations just down the street from Chapman\u2019s campus in Old Towne Orange.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Walking down The Circle, we have restaurant after restaurant that get five-star ratings from our staff. Next time you find yourself hungry in Orange, reference The Panther’s compiled list.<\/p>\n
Wazabi Sushi\u00a0<\/p>\n
Offering crispy rice, gyoza, over thirty specialty rolls and much more, Wazabi Sushi<\/a>\u2019s slogan is \u201cfreshness and flavor served daily.\u201d<\/p>\n Makenna Kunimura, a senior journalism major and The Panther\u2019s creative director, noted Wazabi Sushi to be her personal favorite stop in The Circle.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI really like the vibe in there, the workers are always so nice,\u201d Kunimura said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Providing a relaxed setting, Wazabi\u2019s Orange location has been open since 2021, with its original restaurant established in 2015.\u00a0<\/p>\n Placed at the edge of The Circle, this Japanese restaurant offers a number of traditional dishes as well as a fusion of other Thai flavors, according to their website<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Kunimura orders the \u201cGloria Roll<\/a>\u201d which is a spicy tuna and shrimp tempura specialty roll in soy paper, topped with yellowtail, salmon, jalapeno and ceviche sauce.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI have had such good memories in there,\u201d said Kunimura. \u201cMy friends and I have always gone out to eat there since freshman year, so it holds so many good memories for me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Taco Stand<\/p>\n Right around the corner from Wazabi, with hefty burritos and warm, sweet churros, is one of Taco Stand<\/a>\u2019s 17 locations.\u00a0<\/p>\n Senior communication studies major and The Panther\u2019s managing editor Caleb Otte said that Taco Stand is one of his most visited spots.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIf you go to Chapman, you know about Taco Stand,\u201d said Otte. \u201cAnd if you haven’t been, you simply must go now. Immediately. Drop what you are doing and go.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The founders, Aram and Julian from the border region of Tijuana, brought homey flavors to their first establishment in San Diego in 2013, then eventually to Orange in 2019.\u00a0<\/p>\n The menu<\/a> runs deep: nine taco and nine burrito choices are offered, as well as breakfast options.\u00a0<\/p>\n Otte favors their carne asada fries, the bean and cheese burrito and the churros.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThere isn’t a bad burrito or taco, and all the food is freshly made. Taco Stand never misses,\u201d said Otte.<\/p>\n Gabbi\u2019s Mexican Kitchen\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a Michelin-star Mexican restaurant with the best food and drinks and a great vibe,\u201d said Seraphina Oketch, junior broadcast journalism major and The Panther\u2019s assistant features and entertainment editor.<\/p>\n Founded in 2006 by Gabbi and Ed Patrick, their goal is to \u201cpreserve the rich culinary heritage of Mexico,\u201d according to their website<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Serving brunch, lunch, dinner and cocktails, Gabbi\u2019s kitchen offers a variety of authentic and homemade dishes from birria quesadillas to pozole.\u00a0<\/p>\n Oketch dines at Gabbi\u2019s restaurant about once a month and orders the chips and salsa, esquites and the carnita norte\u00f1as.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe atmosphere is amazing and the food and drinks are always great,\u201d said Oketch.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s just such an inviting place and they play good music.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Smoqued California Barbeque\u00a0<\/p>\n Home to brisket, chicken, sausage, ribs, pulled pork and much more, Smoqued BBQ<\/a> has been a Circle staple since 2012.<\/p>\n Owners of Smoqued Mike Hernandez and Drew Ciora also opened the brewing company next door, 1886<\/a>.<\/p>\n Lane Forti, junior journalism major and news reporter for The Panther, appreciates a little piece of home here at Smoqued.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cBeing from Texas, I\u2019m always looking for good barbecue,\u201d said Forti. \u201cI kept walking past it in The Circle, and one day decided to try it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n With mac and cheese shepherd\u2019s pie, deviled eggs and even avocado fries, Smoqued\u2019s menu<\/a> has a unique range that brings homey and smoky barbecue to the residents of Orange.<\/p>\n Philz Coffee<\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cWe were trying to determine the best hot chocolate on and around campus. Philz won,\u201d said journalism major and assistant news editor Samantha Wong.\u00a0<\/p>\n Philz Coffee<\/a> is a Chapman student staple to fuel caffeine needs, especially being a quick stroll away from campus.\u00a0<\/p>\n The first Philz, opened in San Francisco in 2003, has since gradually expanded across California and Chicago, finally opening in The Circle in 2020.\u00a0<\/p>\n Philz specializes in customized pour-over coffee blends, rather than the typical latte or cappuccino.\u00a0<\/p>\n There are over 25 staple blends<\/a>, allowing customers to adjust creaminess and sweetness. They offer a few food items as well, from pastries to breakfast sandwiches and burritos.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s more than just coffee, I think that it’s a good nearby spot where you can meet friends to study or just get away from school for a bit,\u201d said Wong.\u00a0<\/p>\n O SEA<\/p>\n Voted \u201cBest Seafood Restaurant\u201d<\/a> in Orange County by the LA Times, O SEA<\/a> lives up to that title, serving excellently crafted seafood dishes.<\/p>\n Opening in The Circle in 2021, O SEA\u2019s stylish spot serves locals and foodies with its seasonal specials and regular menu staples.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Morgan May, The Panther\u2019s music reporter and senior public relations major, voted O SEA as her pick for its variety of options.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThey have a fun seasonal menu<\/a> and they do a lot of creative things with their dishes,\u201d said May.\u00a0<\/p>\n With oysters for happy hour, cioppino for dinner, flights of wine for the table and so much more, O SEA has a lot to offer.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cBeing from a landlocked state, I love seafood by the coast,\u201d said May. \u201cIt is a really good restaurant to go to with family. The atmosphere and service is great and it’s close by too.\u201d<\/p>\n Editor\u2019s Note: O SEA will close at the end of April. If you want a chance to catch a meal, now is the time to go.<\/p>\n Thai Towne Eatery<\/p>\n Tucked away into The Circle, serving soup, pad thai, curry and stir fry, Thai Towne Eatery<\/a> is a local independent favorite.\u00a0<\/p>\n Senior journalism major and our editor-in-chief, Nicole Kavros, finds comfort in Thai Towne.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe staff\u2019s always super attentive, and they actually remember you when you\u2019ve been a couple times which makes it feel like a small-town stop,\u201d said Kavros. \u201cThe food is always delicious and the portions are great \u2014 I always go home with leftovers for later!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Kavros orders their chicken pad thai, just one out of the restaurant’s eight noodle options on their menu<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Can\u2019t forget dessert too \u2014 from fried banana to iconic mango sticky rice, Thai Towne has it all.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI would recommend it on all fronts, but it\u2019s especially great for freshmen who live close to The Circle and don\u2019t want to go somewhere super busy or expensive,\u201d Kavros said. \u201cIt\u2019s quick and easy comfort food, which is great for any college student. Even as a senior, I still go often, like for a casual dinner with friends.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n No matter your mood, craving or even budget, there is a spot waiting for you in The Circle.<\/p>\n So next time hunger hits, take a walk to Old Towne Orange and try a Panther-approved favorite.<\/p>\n